Work Text:
February 14, 2040
“Va… Va…”
“Valentines.”
Emma looked at Ray, her eyes widening as she looked back at the book. Valentines was a big word for a six year old to read, he guessed, especially one they didn’t see very often. Emma hummed and Norman peered over her shoulder.
“What’s Valentine’s?”
“I don’t know.”
Ray felt a sigh escape him. He knew Norman and Emma were intelligent - Norman definitely was smarter than him, but when it came to the “outside world” and such things - Ray knew he had the upperhand. Being Mama’s watchdog for a year now, he knew more than anyone about human culture.
“It’s a time when people celebrate things with people they love.”
Emma blinked, her cheeks turning pink and she smiled brightly. “Then, I want to celebrate it with Norman and Ray!”
Both boys seemed to jolt, but then smiled, allowing Emma to hug them both close.
“I love you!”
--
February 14, 2043
“For you.”
Emma smiled at the flower presented to her by Norman, whose blue eyes were calm and full of devotion. Emma beamed at him and took it.
“You remembered.”
“Of course, it’s Valentine’s Day and you’re always my Valentine, Emma.”
Emma’s smile was warm and full - unaware of how it affected Norman, who had been coming to a realization about Emma for awhile now. His heart pounded when he looked at her - differently than it did with anyone else. She made him a better person too - just everything about her made him happy. Emma twirled the little flower in her hand before giving Norman a curious look.
“What did you get Ray?”
Norman’s smile twitched. “I didn’t.”
Emma’s mouth dropped slightly. “But we’re each other’s Valentines. We have to get Ray something too!”
Norman wanted to say - no, only you’re my Valentine, this is different now. But with Emma’s earnestness, he couldn’t find it in himself to deny her. He followed her, helped her pluck flowers and then she made three crowns out of the flowers.
“Ray!”
Norman frowned as he watched her put the crown of flowers on Ray’s head - telling him ‘Happy Valentine’s Day!’, Ray touched the crown and made a soft sound - a ‘hmph’, as he closed the book and looked over at Norman - who was already wearing his flower crown.
There was a look passed between the boys at that moment, one Emma was unaware of. Ray looked away and thanked Emma while Norman couldn’t help but feel as if something may have shifted.
--
February 14, 2045
The warmth on her cheek made her heart pound and her mouth dropped open in surprise. Norman had never kissed her before - but the soft feeling of lips on her cheek was undeniable. She looked at Norman, who gave her a warm smile.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Emma.”
The three of them had been sharing valentines since they were six - it was sort of a secret between the three of them, really - as Emma had come to realize that no one celebrated any of the holidays of old that were recorded in the outdated books they read, but that didn’t stop Emma from enjoying this little secret they passed between them. And it seemed each year, Norman stepped the game up. She clearly remembered the flowers and drawings that soon became accompanied with hugs and now this.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Norman!”
She kissed his cheek in return, making his lips part and he watched her skip away. His eyes narrowed and he followed after her - knowing exactly where she was going. He had hoped he’d be wrong, but how could he be? He knew Emma better than anyone. So when she made it over to Ray, he tried not to feel sour - tried not to hope that she wouldn’t…
But she did.
Ray looked caught of guard as a pair of soft lips pressed against his cheek.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Ray!”
Ray was stock still and okay, Norman found that funny. It was just a little kiss on the cheek! Why was Ray so shocked over such a thing? But when Ray’s eyes met his - Norman could see the apology in them, even if neither of them said anything, they both knew on a base level that Norman felt something for Emma that was more, more than family or friends. Norman smiled at him and shrugged, which seemed to break Ray out of his stiffness.
“Thanks Emma.”
Emma leaned in closer to him, her eyes flashing and smile growing wider - almost comically so. Ray’s brows knit together.
“What?”
“My gift?”
She turned her head to the side, revealing her cheek to him - which made Ray blush.
That, surprised Norman.
Ray was blushing… Ray who usually had one of the best poker faces in the orphanage. His eyes narrowed as something pulled in his chest. But before he could think upon it, Ray’s impassive expression was back and Ray patted Emma on the head.
“Is this good enough?”
Emma began to squabble with Ray, demanding her cheek kiss, while Norman couldn’t help but examine this a little more than he probably should.
It had to be nothing… right?
--
February 14, 2046
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Emma blinked, looking at Ray, who was giving her a soft look. It made her shiver and think of Norman. Norman had never missed a single Valentine’s Day - this was the first year without one. She bit her lip as she looked at Ray, who stood before her. He was a little taller now, not by much, but she knew they would both continue to grow from here, but the fact she had to look up at him now made her tremble.
“I miss Norman.”
“Yeah.”
Emma grabbed onto Ray, hugging him against her. She shivered when he hugged her back - holding her close. She didn’t cry, she had cried many tears for Norman already, would probably cry more other times. But she knew they must finish what Norman started, so she had to be strong until that was over.
A soft feeling on her cheek made her eyes widen, pulling back slightly to look at Ray in surprise.
“Your present.”
A warm feeling flooded her chest and she couldn’t control the fond smile that spread over her lips.
“Thank you Ray. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
She leaned forward to kiss his cheek, but accidentally kissed the side of his mouth instead. The two of them froze at that, their eyes meeting. Emma smiled, trying to fight back the shyness while Ray gave her another soft kiss, this time on the side of her mouth too. It tickled and Emma sighed, feeling Ray take one of her hands, threading their fingers together.
At least she still had Ray.
--
February 14, 2047
It had been two years since Norman had even thought about Valentine’s Day - he’d been so busy the past two years. From being in Lambda 7214 to becoming Minerva for the escapees - he had little time to think about holidays. But now they were safe and Emma was here. He couldn’t help but think of the holiday now.
“You’re in a good mood, boss.”
He chuckled. “Am I?”
Who was he kidding, of course he was - it was Valentine’s Day. He hummed to himself as he dismissed himself, walking down the stairs - wondering what he could give to Emma. Of course his presence made a ruckus - as he usually was too busy to come down from his office too often, but his eyes searched around for Emma.
When he didn’t find her, he frowned - luckily, he found Anna.
“Anna, have you seen Emma?”
Anna beamed at Norman. “Norman! Ah, um, yes - she left with Ray a few minutes ago.”
Ice seemed to fill his veins as a familiar feeling leaked into his heart. He thanked Anna and left, looking around the streets, wondering just where Emma and Ray would wander off to. The fact he couldn’t predict their movements anymore made his chest heavy and his shoulders sag. Time was cruel and he felt it all the more with today.
He perked up when he finally spotted them.
Ray tied a ribbon in Emma’s hair - despite the rather stoic look on his face, Norman still could tell that Ray was actually feeling differently - there was a little color on his cheeks and he looked a bit nervous.
Emma touched the ribbon, her own face flushing too.
Emma was blushing.
Norman’s mouth parted as he watched the two of them exchange words, he knew what they were saying without having to hear it - ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’.
It warmed his heart knowing they carried on the tradition - but he couldn’t help but wonder if a knot had been formed and he wasn't in it. The way they carried themselves, he would say so. He breathed in deeply and turned back to the house, his shoulders sagging.
He had work to do anyways.
--
“Should we go wish Norman a Happy Valentine’s Day?”
Ray looked down at Emma, who looked up at him with a mixture of emotions. She wanted to - he could tell, and to be honest, he did to. Norman was still his very dear friend and even if something had… changed, that would never change. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a little pull in his chest.
“You’re not gonna kiss him, are you?”
Emma blanched, her cheeks flaring red. “Not like that!”
Ray hummed, looking away from her, his longer legs striding ahead of her - he couldn’t help but tease her a bit. He knew Emma would definitely give Norman a cheek kiss. But a kiss on the lips… that was reserved for him now.
Thinking of that.
He stopped abruptly, making her run into him and he turned, tipping her chin to kiss her.
“I get mine first this year.”
The tease made Emma laugh. “You got yours first last year.”
His breath tickled against her lips. “Last year didn’t count.”
Their lips met and pressed; a soft soothing feeling - overflowing with so many emotions. Comfort, sweetness, and above all else, devotion. They parted and Emma beamed. “Let’s go.”
The two of them marched right up to Norman’s office, ignoring anyone who tried to stop them.
Norman looked shocked to see them enter, he put his pen down.
“Emma? Ray? What-”
Emma kissed his cheek while Ray ruffled his hair.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Norman!”
With the smile on Emma’s face and Ray’s own rendition of a teasing smirk, Norman couldn’t help but laugh, his heart filling with love for these two. He stood and wrapped an arm around each of them, pulling them close to him, feeling at ease - despite knowing things had changed in ways that couldn’t be helped. He still treasured these two and wanted the world for them - wanted them by his side.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”